Kansas City is preparing for its first big winter storm of the season. Meteorologists warn that the timing of the cold front could affect snowfall totals and ice accumulation.

Winter storm watches are already in effect for the metro’s extreme western counties on the Kansas side. The watches start around Jefferson County and stretch south to Anderson and Franklin Counties. The watches are for 12 p.m. Saturday until Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Kansas City area could be in for a tough wintry weekend, with freezing rain, snow and bitterly cold temperatures. But weather​ forecasters say there’s still lots of uncertainty about​ the exact timing.